On a dark, orange day, where someone got shot a few miles down the road outside a Milo Yiannopoulos speech, when stomachs were turned by the sight of fascism coming for breakfast while others served it cheerily, what, really, is one supposed to do? Cry? Scream? Curl up in a ball? Dig a bomb bunker and hoard clean water? Strip naked and run down the street with fiery torches in both hands? If you are me, you don your "Dump Trump" tshirt and make the trek over to Ballard to do yourself a DAMN FAVOR by seeing one of your all-time-favorite bands, The Intelligence. This was my small act of rebellion on Inauguration Day: that we come together, still, to be with friends and hear music, and not give in to despair and worry of what is to come. We go out, get our freak on, and get re-fueled.
Because of the general Seattle chaos, traffic delayed me and I arrived at the Tractor Tavern just in time for Maszer, who I had never seen before. The entire crowd was utterly entranced by their triple-drummer tribal beat groove, heavy, rumbling, and propulsive, like a thunderstorm rolling across a desert. Katie Blackstock's vocals floated high above the tumult, and served to free the sound from the ground. Maszer offered a tantalizing mix of punk, prog, and world music that is all their own.
(Click on the photos to enlarge and click on the Flickr set links for more!)
I am greedy-hungry for any show by The Intelligence. I would see them all if I could, and maybe someday I will say EFF IT ALL and get a gas-powered skateboard and go do just that. Every record Lars Finberg puts out ends up being my new favorite because of the way he combines snappy riffs and dark, clever lyrics to make me hop up and down and go "doot doot DOOT DOOT doot doot DOO" along with each song. I always feel better after I see The Intelligence, and so, I'M IN.
Ol' Fren' Lars and Shred Master guitarist/vocalist Dave Hernandez, Bassist of Distinction Drew Church, and Thumper Buddy Kaanan Tupper rewarded a nicely-sized crowd with a fine performance, and in return the crowd provided generous claps, whoops, and staccato dance moves. When I mock-complained to Lars post-show that the only thing I didn't like about the show was that it was too short, he replied with a grin, "But we played 19 songs!" Yes, OK, true, BUT SOME ARE A MINUTE LONG, like "Bong Life" below. There's no pleasing me until they play all the songs in a row, maybe with snack and bathroom breaks. I can dream.
I'm Marianne Spellman. I am in Seattle-ish. I like and make music and words and photos and videos and coffee and have crappy eyesight, like every other blogger. I do freelance thingies for cool people and places every so often.
How To Choose A Democrat Nominee For President in 2020: 1. Candidate Aligns With Your Personal Values 2. Candidate Is Personable and Well-Funded 3. Candidate Is Maybe Not An Old White Man 4. Candidate Is Of Fine Character 5. The Person Who Will Beat The Orange Moron So Thoroughly That He Will Deflate Into A Gooey Melted Circus Peanut
"Twenty Feet From Stardom" film (June 4, 2013 via Facebook): "We love this review!!"
Ko Melina, The Dirtbombs, SIRIUS XM Underground Garage DJ (September 6, 2012, via Twitter): "Awesome #Bumbershoot photos of the @DirtbombsBand by @mariannesp..."
Kathy Valentine, The Go-Gos (August 23, 2011, via Twitter):
"Cool blog review & candid concert pics that capture the day perfectly!"
Bill Oglesby , Saxophonist, "Coronado," Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest (February 16, 2011, via YouTube):
"Hi Marianne, I'm the sax player on this cut and I've been enjoying this wonderful video collage that you put together for months.
I consider it quite an honor that you chose Illinois Jacquet to represent me not that I would compare my playing to his in any way, but Jacquet was a real soul-cat.
Thank you."
Keith Gordon, Co-Star & WM BFF, "Winnebago Man" (July 11, 2010, via Facebook):
Without doubt, the BEST and only original music with 'Bago bytes remix ever done. So this is what I get to hear swirling around in my head for the next few days? Welcome aboard; I'm delighted!"
Joel Heller, Producer, "Winnebago Man" (July 11, 2010, via Facebook):
"We love your song Marianne."
Ira Robbins, Trouser Press (March 20, 2010, via Facebook):
"great piece of writing. i liked the film better and the band less, but no matter. this is top-notch cultural criticism. give this woman a job!"
Chris Walter (Feb. 15, 2010, via Diarrhea Island):
"Nice piece, thank you. And thanks to Graham. I think all the photographers had a great time up there, it is an excellent book and exhibition.
Thanks
Chris"
Graham Nash (Feb. 8, 2010, via Diarrhea Island):
"Thanks so much for your very perceptive review of the show at the EMP...... Let's not forget to give thanks to Paul Allen and the people of Seattle for supporting the arts....
Again, well done."
John Cleese (Nov. 4, 2009, via Facebook):
"Nice review of the show by a real person."
God (Aug. 28, 2009, via Twitter):
"Listen, honey, if you weren't a chick you would so be smote right now."
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